Sunday, November 2, 2014

Marque
Richardson is a
high energy, multi-faceted actor, writer and producer. He can currently be seen
in the critically-acclaimed DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, a satirical comedy that examines
race and identity in America
through the stories of four black, Ivy League college students. As a
young actor, Marque amassed some impressive credits, including recurring roles on
HBO’s THE NEWSROOM and TRUE BLOOD. He has also guest-starred on BROOKLYN NINE
NINE, ANGER MANAGEMENT and THE MIDDLE.

Richardson attended the University of Southern
California on a full scholarship from the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation, graduating with degrees in Business, Public
Policy, Planning and Management. To build on his knowledge of the film
industry, he interned at Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment. There, he gained
insight on film and television production while honing his acting skills.

The
elder of two siblings, Marque’s military family moved around frequently before
settling in Bellflower, California where he got a head start on his
acting career by starring in various commercials at age four. Determined to not
be pigeonholed, Marque still trains at Upright Citizens’ Brigade and the Ivana
Chubbuck Studio while studying screenwriting at UCLA.

He prides himself on being a global citizen
with a strong sense of community service, too. In 2005, he traveled to Khao Lak, Thailand
to help in the country’s relief efforts after the devastating tsunami of 2004. And
he’s worked with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes in Louisiana
and Guatemala.

Marque
spends his free time writing, innovating and mentoring students in Los Angeles. Here, he
talks about his career as well as his work in DEAR WHITE PEOPLE.

Kam
Williams: Hi Marque, thanks for the interview.

Marque
Richardson: Hey, Kam, how's it going? [Chuckles]Thank YOU for the
interview!

KW:
What interested you in Dear White People?

MR: What interested me in Dear White People was that it was smart, funny,
modern and it had something to say that people needed to hear.

KW:
Tell me a little about your character, Reggie?

MR: Reggie is a beast! Intelligent, strong and militant, he's a computer
science major at Winchester
University. He's like a
modern-day Malcolm X mixed with the character Buggin' Out from Spike Lee's Do
the Right Thing. What's most interesting about Reggie is that he defers a lot
of his responsibility off onto the other characters of the film. In a way,
Reggie represents the population of the world that wants change but doesn't
want to take responsibility to act themselves, the population that is waiting
for their hero.

KW:
What do you think of the issues raised by the film?

MR: There are tons of issues which the film brings to light, from race to
identity to sexuality. The characters are a complex mix that serves as a mirror
effect for audiences, which is why so many people of diverse backgrounds relate
to the film. At the end of the day, this is a story about identity and the
biggest thing I hope people get from the film is that it's okay to be yourself
at all times. Own your uniqueness and all that makes you who you are because
there’s no better you... than you.

KW:
True. Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

MR: "Would you like to play the first black Capt. America?"
I want Marvel to ask me that.

KW:
Have you ever had a near-death experience?

MR: I almost drowned when I was 5 years-old. Had to stay
at the hospital and all that jazz. I still love swimming though!

KW:
A scary story with a happy ending. What is your guiltiest
pleasure?

MR: I love watching bad horror movies. Like the ones
that are so bad they're good. Anything on fear.net. And I am a fatty, I love eating food, if I could
eat, sleep and watch bad horror movies all day, I would.

KW:
The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book
you read?

MR: I’m, currently reading the Richard Pryor biography
"Furiously Cool." What a gift he was!

KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?

MR: I love to barbecue. I will barbecue the [bleep] out
of anything… and you will like it! [LOL]

KW:
The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

MR:
Food!

KW:
The Harriet Pakula-Teweles question: With so many classic films being redone,
is there a remake you'd like to star in?

MR: I can’t stand remakes. We haven't run out of ideas.
Start something new!

KW:
What’s in your wallet?

MR:
Not a damn thing. [Laughs]

KW:
Thanks again for the time, Marque, and best of luck with the
film.

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The Sly Fox Film Reviews

KamWilliams.com

The Sly Fox Film Reviews publishes the content of film critic Kam Williams. Voted Most Outstanding Journalist of the Decade by the Disilgold Soul Literary Review in 2008, Kam Williams is a syndicated film and book critic who writes for 100+ publications around the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Online, the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee and Rotten Tomatoes.

In addition to a BA in Black Studies from Cornell, he has an MA in English from Brown, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a JD from Boston University. Kam lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and son.